“Jose does love a row, but you see how players have so much power these days, they can get managers sacked, and the good thing about Jose is that he’s got the power.

“You don’t mess with Jose in the same way that Sir Alex Ferguson had the power, he makes the decisions and the board will back him.

But, by the same token, Pogba has to play week-in and week-out and if I’m the owner then I’m saying: ‘Hang on, I’ve spent £89m on a player who is sitting on the bench.’”

Ince believes Mourinho wants to rebuild the squad at Old Trafford and make a return to the traditions of winning with flair as in the glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Former United midfielder Ince said: “I’ve spoken to some Man United fans and they’ve been going to Man City because they are so entertaining. I’m thinking: ‘Are you mad?’

Pogba can still be a big player for United, says Ince (Image: Getty Images Europe)

“It’s something Mourinho knows and I’m sure he can do it. I feel sure he’s the right man for the job. He’s a winner, a serial winner, he’s won loads of trophies.

“For Mourinho it’s about the winning, about the titles, but that’s not the case for Man United. The fans have been brought up on the style of football, what they’ve been used to seeing over the years.

"United have won trophies, but there’s frustration and fans are saying the same thing. The style of football, the entertainment, there are not enough shots on goal and we’ve not got attack after attack.

“It’s about finding the right balance. This is where United are behind City, Tottenham, Liverpool.

Mourinho takes his side to the Etihad on Saturday (Image: AFP)

"They’ve all got a balance to their team, everyone knows their jobs, you see that at Liverpool now where it’s taken Klopp about two years to find the balance.

“That’s something Jose will get sorted by the end of the season to find where Alexis Sanchez plays, where Pogba plays and the best position for Marcus Rashford. If they get that balance then they’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

“Man United have to be up there competing with City, Liverpool and, listen they are second in the table, and that shows how great Jose is. They are almost in a transition period and they are still up there.”

*Paul Ince is a Paddy Power ambassador for the Conifa World Football Cup, which kicks off in London on May 31.